If you have old photo scrapbooks collecting dust at your home, there's a place in Tucson where you can get the contents digitized for free.
The University of Arizona opened its Wildcats Memory Lab last week. Faculty librarian Stacey Erdman explains it gives people the chance to convert everything from film to floppy disks into files that can be loaded onto a USB device.
"We have a digital workstation where you can digitize VHS tapes and a variety of camcorder formats like mini DV tapes, VHS-C, high 8," she said.
Erdman notes one of the biggest challenges is getting visitors accustomed to using the equipment.
"If they are intimidated by the technology they can request time for one of our staff members to meet with them and guide them through the process."
Erdman says many Tucson retirees have inherited old wedding photos and videos, childhood performances, and camcorder footage on the verge of deterioration. The Memory Lab is designed to preserve those memories.
The lab is located on the 3rd floor of the Main Library on the UA campus. It was inspired by a similar project in the District of Columbia Public Library system. Its development, along with Arizona's, is supported by federal funding that is currently in danger of being eliminated by Trump Administration budget cuts.
